Rovers take striker search abroad

Published: 01 Jul 2009 - 10:52:00

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Blackburn are likely to take their search for a striker overseas after struggling to pin down any realistic targets closer to home. Having sold Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £17million and Matt Derbyshire to Olympiacos for £3million, manager Sam Allardyce is keen to reinforce his forward line. The squad have returned to pre-season training today and the Rovers boss would like to recruit a recognised goalscorer as soon as possible but that may take longer than expected. Allardyce has been linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, as the former Manchester United forward has slipped down the pecking order at the Bernabeu. "We have been looking around for a proven Premier League striker but it is proving a difficult task," said chairman John Williams. "We may need to look abroad and go down that route."